On March 5, 2025, I had the honor of leading a Careers and Coffee Chat, hosted by HigherEdMilitary, to explore a critical question: What does the term “military-friendly” mean in 2025? For years, colleges have labeled themselves “Military-Friendly” without being held to any standard or facing scrutiny over whether they truly provide meaningful support to military-affiliated students. However, their actions have done little to make college more accessible to this community. As our conversation progressed, we realized that institutions use the term without accountability, often leaving the military-affiliated community without the support they need. This led us to ask a critical question: In what ways are colleges missing the mark?

Take credit transfers, for instance. A service member’s spouse might start college in one state but have to move halfway through their degree program. If their new institution refuses to accept previous coursework, they are forced to start over—wasting time and money. Or consider the GI Bill®, a vital resource that does not always stretch far enough, especially when unexpected costs arise. Truly military-friendly institutions would anticipate these hurdles and implement systems to ease the burden.

Buzz Word or Commitment

A particularly heated part of our discussion centered on how the term “military-friendly” is used. Some participants argued that it has become more of a buzzword or marketing strategy than a real commitment. One participant questioned, “Institutions often chase official designations, but what do these designations actually guarantee?” In many cases, not much beyond baseline support. A college may tout its 'military-friendly' status while failing to provide essential resources, such as dedicated housing for military families or faculty training in military cultural competency.

One participant raised a compelling point: If veterans and military-affiliated students contribute an estimated $1 billion annually to higher education, why isn’t that funding reinvested into support systems that help them succeed?Instead of focusing solely on the small percentage of veterans on campuses—often around 6%—institutions should recognize the significant financial impact these students make and use that insight to invest in the resources they need, such as more advisors, housing, and family services, to truly support their success.

A New Definition

By the end of our discussion, it was clear that the way “military-friendly” has been applied in the past must change to truly support military-affiliated students. As a group, we developed a more meaningful way to identify as military-friendly: "A military-friendly institution actively supports the academic, professional, and personal success of military-affiliated students by providing tailored resources, implementing flexible policies, and fostering an inclusive campus environment."

Here’s what military-friendly looks like in practice:

• Dedicated faculty and staff who understand military culture and the unique needs of military-affiliated students.
• Flexible academic structures that accommodate relocations, deployments, and caregiving responsibilities.
• Financial policies that address gaps in GI Bill® coverage and provide additional financial support.
• Accessible housing and childcare options designed to meet the needs of military families.
• Veterans resource centers that foster a sense of belonging for military-affiliated students, including family-oriented activities.

When institutions implement meaningful support and inclusive policies, they demonstrate true military friendliness and create an environment where military-affiliated students can truly thrive.

Register for the next HigherEdMilitary Careers and Coffee session April 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM CT.

Article Topics

Military Educational Benefits Military Focused Events Military Friendly Institutions Serving Military in HigherEd Veterans Academic Success Women Veterans

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